Hi ,
I am new to allotments and have had one for 2 months. A neighbour organised for some horse manure to be delivered and I have a large pile of well rotted manure waiting for me to do something with. I have not planted anything yet but have soem established fruit bushes. Can I just spread it on the plot and dig it in as I start to plant or do I need to dig it all in now? I read that this is best to do in the autumn but obviously I missed the chance to do this? Any help gratefully received.
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Some crops don't like recently manured soil. I think its certain root veg such as carotts and parsnips. If you suggest which crops you are planting perhaps we could give you crop specific guidance.
Grow roses they love it, or what i used to do is fill a big water butt with water (of course) and put some in that then use it to water veg etc, my grandfather told me that, it works, as it wont burn the roots if put on neat. Its good for rhubarb too, mine grew really thick and tall.
Autumn is not the right time to dig it in unless you are going to plant crops. If the ground is left empty the nutrients can be washed away. If you plant green manure crops they will take up the nutrients and you can dig them in when you want to plant again.
I don't dig mine in at any set time. I keep poultry and have three compost bins made out of pallets so I have a fair bit to dig in each year. Some I use as a top dressing/mulch but I don't always do it in spring as you should do.
I have oodles of poultry manure, and let it rot down before I add it to the veg plot. I also add it to the ordinary compost bin to speed the rotting of the contents.
